Businesses relying on the Mombasa port can breathe a sigh of relief after the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (Kephis) put on hold newly introduced cargo inspection fees.
The charges, which took effect on March 1, 2025, had drawn sharp criticism from traders and the Council of Governors (CoG), who argued that the additional costs were making trade more expensive. In response to mounting pressure, Kephis agreed to suspend the fees and engage stakeholders in further discussions.
In a letter to the Kenya Ships Agents Association (KSAA), CoG Chief Executive Mary Mwiti confirmed the development, citing a consultative meeting held recently at the CoG offices. The meeting was prompted by concerns from the Mombasa County Government over the new pest inspection charges.
“The Council of Governors has confirmed that the Kephis charges at the Port of Mombasa have been suspended,” Mwiti wrote to KSAA Chief Executive Elijah Mbaru. She added that an MoU would be established between Mombasa County and Kephis to streamline the inspection of containers and vessels while ensuring that all involved parties operate within their legal mandates.
Traders and shipping agents, who had decried the charges as an unnecessary financial burden, have welcomed the suspension.
Kephis had previously instructed shipping lines and agents to submit import and export manifests in advance to facilitate efficient inspections. With the fees now on hold, stakeholders will engage in further talks to determine the way forward for port inspections.